Spinal Stenosis
What is Spinal Stenosis?
According to the lower back pain doctor at Comprehensive Spine and Pain, spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of spaces within a person’s backbone or spine that generates undue pressure on both the nerves and spinal cord. Nearly 75 percent of all spinal stenosis cases happen in an individual’s lumbar spine (lower back). In many instances, stenosis along with narrowing of the spine often constricts the nerve root, causing acute pain down the back of the leg.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
Lower back pain doctors report several possible causes of spinal stenosis including the following:
Heredity
If a person’s spinal canal is excessively small at birth, symptoms may show up in an individual at a fairly young age. Certain structural abnormalities of the vertebrae can also lead to the narrowing of a person’s spinal canal.
Aging
As people age naturally, their ligaments (connective tissues in-between each bone within the spine) can sometimes thicken. Small growths, or spurs, can start to form on the bones and even into the spinal canal.
Over time, the cushioning disks located between the vertebrae can start to weaken. The facet joints, which are flat surfaces that form the spinal column on each vertebra, begin to deteriorate as well. These factors may encourage the spaces within the spine to start narrowing, resulting in spinal stenosis.
Spinal Trauma
Trauma to the back or spine may also cause spinal stenosis. Certain injuries and accidents can either produce burst fractures that cause bone fragments to penetrate the canal or dislocate the spinal canal and spine all together.
Arthritis
Two common types of arthritis that can potentially impact the spine are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Both of which may result in spinal stenosis.
Spinal Tumors
Irregular growths of soft tissue could have a direct effect on the spinal canal by growing tissue in the canal or by producing inflammation. Tissue growth can result in bone resorption (loss of bone from overactive bone cells) or perhaps bone displacement of bone along with the collapse of the spinal column’s supporting framework.
Spondylolisthesis (Spine Instability)
Spondylolisthesis is the condition that occurs when one vertebra eventually slips forward onto another one and subsequently narrows the spinal canal.
Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis
As reported by lower back pain doctors, key symptoms of spinal stenosis may include lower back pain and/or leg pain. Stenosis can pinch a person’s nerves that work to control muscle strength and sensation within the legs. Aside from back and leg pain, spinal stenosis can also present additional issues. Other symptoms often include the following:
- Cold or hot sensations in the legs along with tingling or numbness
- Difficulty or pain when walking
- Frequent clumsiness or tendency to fall down
Serving several patients throughout Atlanta, GA and the surrounding areas at his pain and spine clinics, V. K. Puppala, M.D. takes a unique approach to effective treatment for lower back pain by incorporating a variety of minimally invasive interventional techniques. Dr. Puppala uses practical treatment and medication management to greatly benefit his patients. As the premiere lower back pain doctor in Atlanta, Dr. Puppala deeply cares for his patients, treating them with compassion and respect to help them return to a pain-free lifestyle.
If you are suffering from pain due to spinal stenosis call 770-627-7246 or 770-MAP-PAIN to schedule an appointment today at his pain and spine clinic in Villa Rica, GA.
